Pack board



Aug. 11, 1936. H. WEBER ET AL 2,05%,822

PACK BOARD Filed Jan. 18, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug.11,1936. HWEBER ET AL 2,050,822

PACK BOARD Filed Jan. 18, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Patented Aug. 11, 1936 UNE'E'ED STATES PACK zesaezr BOARD Herbert Weber, Los Angeles, Calif., and Russell J. Pierce, Grants Pass, reg.; said Weber assignor to said Pierce Application January 18, 1936, Serial No. 59,762

2 Claims.

This invention relates to load carrying devices, commonly known as pack boards.

The pack boards now in use are of more or less crude or make-shift construction, hence they are not only uncomfortable to wear but the packs thereon often work loose, resulting in shifting of the load, also considerable time and trouble is required to apply or remove them.

Further, should the pack become disengaged it often requires assistance to secure it in place.

An object of this invention is to provide a device of the character referred to constructed in such a manner that a pack or load may be securely fastened thereto and carried without discomfort to the wearer.

Another object is to provide a pack board so constructed that it may be quickly applied or removed yet securely hold the pack in place thereon.

Another object is to provide a pack board having portions which will engage and conform to the shape of wearers shoulders and back.

A further object is to provide a pack board having handles adjacent its lower ends whereby the load on the shoulders may be relieved from time to time if desired.

A further object is to provide a pack board in which the load may be secured thereto in such a position that it will be evenly balanced or distributed, thereby relieving strains on the wearer and at the same time be carried without the necessity of undue bending over.

A still further object is to provide a device of the character referred to having a back portion formed of canvas arranged so that it will not only form a cushion and thereby prevent direct contact of pack with the persons back, but form an air cooling passage therethrough.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a front elevation of the improved pack board, parts being broken away and shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, parts being shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the frame or body portion of the pack board.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation.

Fig. 6 is a rear elevation.

Fig. 7 is a front elevation showing a modified form of cover.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the pack board provided with a removable support for a metal container or the like with such container in place thereon.

Fig. 9 is a rear elevation of Fig. 8. i

Fig. 10 is a detail section taken through one of the side arms of the frame and supporting plate.

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the pack board showing a knapsack or the like secured in place thereon, parts being shown in section.

Fig. 12 is a rear elevation of Fig. 11, parts being shown in section.

Fig. 13 is a side elevation showing an example of applying a tarpaulin or the like to the pack boardr Fig. 14 is a rear elevation of Fig. 13.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, ill designates the frame-work of the pack board, which frame consists of parallel side members l2, that are joined together by upper and lower crossbars l4 and I5 respectively. Side members I2 are curved on a radius corresponding to that of a persons back and have curved upper end portions l6 arranged to hook over the wearers shoulders.

The outer ends ll of curved portion it are slightly offset inwardly and tapered upwardly in cross section as clearly shown in Fig. 1 in order that they will lie against or fit close to the wearers neck, and are padded as indicated at I8, which padding is in the form of a casing having an outer layer of sheep pelt l9 and an ,inner layer of felt or the like 28. The casings are preferably removably mounted on the curved portions in order that they may be replaced.

Members l2 are preferably formed of aluminum or the like to reduce weight as much as possible and are channel shaped in cross section in order to strengthen the same.

Upper cross bar [4 is preferably formed from fiat metal sections and is secured to the side members by bolts 2! and wing nuts 22, while the lower cross bar [5 is round in cross section and is removably connected in a like manner to said members by bolts 23 and wing nuts.

Lower cross bar l5 rests in semicircular recesses 24 formed in side members of the frame and projects beyond each end thereof as indicated at 25, these projecting end portions serving as handles whereby the load may be shifted or relieved from the wearers shoulders, also to facilitate application or removal of the device.

A plurality of the recesses 2d are formed in the side members in order that the lower cross bar may be adjusted to accommodate the reach or arm length of the individual wearer. This may be easily accomplished by removing the bolts 23 and replacing the cross bar in the proper recesses.

Formed in the upper and lower cross bars are a plurality of openings 26 which permit lateral adjustment of the side members thereof so that the width may be varied to suit the wearer.

Secured by the bolts 23 and nuts to the side bars and cross bar [5 are sheet metal clips 21 which in turn carry loops or eyes 28 and 29 respectively, and secured to the outer end of the curved portions I6 are similar clips 36 each of which carry a pair of eyes 3| and 32.

Connected to eyes 28 and 3| are straps 33, the opposite end of each of which is provided with a snap fastener 34 which is adapted to engage the eyes 32, the straps being provided with suitable buckles 35 for adjusting their length. These straps are adapted to be passed underneath the users arms and serve to prevent accidental dislodgment of the pack board.

Mounted in openings formed in the side flanges of members l2 are bolts 36 having eyes or loops 3'! formed on' their outer ends.

The eyes above referred to serve to receive the ends of cords or the like for securing various articles or packs to the device in a manner hereinafter described.

Extending around the side members I2 is a strip preferably formed of canvas, that forms a cover designated at 38, which serves as a cushion for the wearers back and a support for the packs, while the space between its inner and outer walls permits a circulation of air therethrough for cooling purposes, the free ends of the strip being secured together by lacing designated at 39.

The portions of the cover engaging the outer end faces of members I2 have slots 46 formed therein to accommodate eyes of bolts 36 and are reinforced therearound as indicated at 4!.

Referring to Fig. '7, the side members may be wound with webbing at 44 (in lieu of the strip 38) to form the cover, one end of said webbing being secured to pins or the: like 45 projecting from the side face of one of the members l2 while the opposite end thereof is provided with a strip 46 for securing it in place.

Various articles may be secured to the pack board, for example a metal container indicated at C in Figs. 8 and 9, and to facilitate supporting such a container a metal shelf or plate 48 is provided.

Plate 48 is removably mounted on the side members by angle straps or the like 49 which engage or hook over the bolts 36 as shown in Fig. 10, the container being secured to or held in place by cords 50 passed through and secured to eyes 31 as shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

In Figs 11 and 12, a. knapsack or canvas bag designated at S is shown mounted on the pack board, the inner wall or side of the sack having a plurality of openings formed therein which receive the bolts 2| of upper cross bar l4, the sack being clamped between said cross bar and a plate 52 overlying the same. The plate 52 has a plurality of openings 26' which receive the belts 2|.

The knapsack or bag is adapted, to be held in place by cords indicated at 53 passed thereover and through eyes 3! and a cord 54 passed thereover and through openings 55 formed in the upper cross bar [4 of the frame, the ends of said cords being tied to the eyes as required.

Figs. 13 and 14 illustrate the form of a pack wrapped in a tarpaulin indicated at T, the tarpaulin being held in place by a plurality of cords designated at 58 passed thereover and connected to the eyes and clips above described.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the pack board is of sturdy and durable construction, may be easily and quickly applied or removed and provides means whereby various packs or containers may be carried long distances without discomfort to the wearer.

We claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a pair of parallel side members having upper curved ends arranged to engage the wearers shoulders and a plurality of recesses formed therein adjacent their lower ends, a flexible cover mounted on said side members for supporting a pack, across bar having a plurality of openings therein and engaging said side members adjacent their upper ends, a second cross bar having a plurality of openings formed therein and arranged to selectively engage the recesses formed in the side members adjacent their lower ends and having portions projecting beyond each end thereof to form handles, bolts extending through openings in said side members and one set of the openings in said cross bars to permit lateral adjustment thereon, nuts threaded on said bolts for securing said cross bars to said side members, a plate overlying and having openings therein in register with the opening in the upper cross bar, for clamping one end of a pack therebetween, and eye bolts secured to said side members for attaching cords or straps to secure a pack to the device.

2. A pack board comprising a pair of parallel side members having shoulder engaging portions on their upper ends, a cross bar secured to said side members adjacent their upper ends, and a cross bar adjustably secured to said side members adjacent their lower ends and projecting beyond each end thereof to form handles for manually supporting the pack.

HERBERT WEBER. RUSSELL J. PIERCE. 

